John Becker

The agenda for the meeting included the call to order, ascertainment of quorum, and review of the agenda. Key discussion topics involved advisory opinions, specifically addressing new requests numbered 2026-8, 2026-9, and 2026-10. The board planned to review status charts for open complaints and address specific ethics violation complaints from various years. Other items included reports on potential conflict of interest matters (FDS#), the Executive Director's Report, Financial Disclosure, and New Business, which covered the 2025 Annual Report.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the February 4, 2026 agenda. A significant portion of the meeting involved an Executive Session to discuss confidential matters concerning personnel, investigations, complaints, attorney/client issues, and Advisory Opinions. During the Executive Session, the Board approved two Advisory Opinions: Advisory Opinion Request No. 2026-3 (as amended) and Advisory Opinion Request No. 2026-7 (as written). The public session involved no members of the public.

The Board adopted the agenda for the meeting. Discussions took place during an Executive Session concerning confidential matters, specifically personnel, investigations, complaints, attorney/client issues, and Advisory Opinions. During this session, Advisory Opinions Request No. 2026-1 and No. 2026-2 were accepted as written. Additionally, two Ethics Violation Complaints (No. 2026-1 and No. 2026-2) were reviewed, and the Board determined it lacked subject matter jurisdiction for both. The meeting concluded with an Executive Director's Report and a Financial Disclosure Update.

The Suffolk County Fair Housing Forum focused on advancing fair and equitable housing. Key discussion topics included the status of fair housing within Suffolk County, the legal framework of the Fair Housing Act (including federal, New York State, and Suffolk County laws), and specific protected classes under each level of jurisdiction. The forum detailed unlawful practices such as steering and blockbusting in housing sales and rentals, mortgage lending discrimination, and addressed protections related to family status (children under 18), national origin (including limited English proficiency), and victims of domestic violence (VAWA protections). Further topics covered sexual harassment liability and disability accommodations and modifications under the Fair Housing Act. A significant part of the event involved detailing Suffolk County's ongoing update to its Analysis of Impediments (AI) to ensure compliance with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements for HUD funding.

The meeting agenda was amended to include the Election of the Board Chair and Vice-Chair for 2026. During an Executive Session, the Board discussed confidential matters pertaining to personnel, investigations, complaints, attorney/client issues, and Advisory Opinions. Key actions included the acceptance of two Advisory Opinions (Request No. 2025-20 and No. 2025-21). Additionally, the Board handled several Financial Disclosure Privacy Requests, ultimately denying three appeals/requests based on insufficient information, and determined no subject matter jurisdiction for an Ethics Violation Complaint. In New Business, the 2026 Board meeting calendar was approved, and D. Bekofsky was elected Chair and A. Parlatore was elected Vice-Chair for 2026.